Grain-harvester



(No Model.) Y 2 sheets-sheet 1. R. H. SHELDON, J1. GRAIN HARVESTER.

No' 4QF/443' Patented May 6, 12890.

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R. R. SRRLDON, Jr)

GRAIN HARVESTER.

No. 427,443` Patented May 6, 1890.

WIT/VESSES: im INVENTUH ATTUR/VEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

RUFUS II. SI-IELDON, JR., OF ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS.

GRAIN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,443, dated May 6, 1890u Application filed February 8, 1839. Serial No. 299,139. (No model.)

To all whom/ t may concern:

Beit known that LRUFUs Il. SHELDON, J r., of Rock Falls,in the county of IVhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Harvesters; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the aecompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvementin grain-harvesters, and more particularly to an improved conveying apparat-us in the rear of the cutter-bar and reel.

The object of the invention is to simplify and improve that part of a grain-harvester which conveys the cut grain from the platform, immediately behind the cutting apparatus, to the binder, usually upon the opposite side of the machine.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construetion and combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter, and particularly Vpointed ont in the claims.

Referring tothe accompanying drawings, Figure l is a rear elevation of a portion of a grain-harvester. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line ce, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal section of the drive-chains, showing the track between the same.

In the drawings, the reference-letter a indicates the platformv of a harvester, provided along its frontedge with the usual cutting apparatus l). The reel c is mounted above the cutting apparatus and operates in the usual manner, and is actuated by any suitable means from the driving mechanism of the machine.

The platform a is supported a distance above the surface of the ground by a casterwheel d at its outer end and the bull-wheel 7 e at its inner end, in the usual manner. The rear edge of the platform is preferably provided with aboard orupwardly-extending edge f, to which are bolted or otherwise secured the vertical brackets or standards g g near the opposite ends of the platform, and each provided at its upper ends with the horizontal arms 7L, extending above and parallel with the upper surface of the platform. Two or more sprocket-wheelsjj are journaled upon each arm 7L, and the sprocket-wheels are conn ected by and carry a pair of parallel sprocketchains j j', located to the rear of the reel and above and parallel with the platform. Attached to these chains are arms t, extending radially from the same, so that as the chains are actuated the arms will sweep along the length of the platform towardthe binder and in the rear of the cutting apparatus. Upon the ends of the arms are located blades j? in planes transverse toy the movement of the chains, and these blades are preferably of a length to reach from the rear edge of the platform to the cutting apparatus and each 'is provided with a series of downwardly-extending teeth to carry the grain from the platform up over the bull-wheel to a binder or receptacle le. Thus the endless chains above the platform are provided with a series of rakes constantly traveling behind the cutting apparatus in a line transverse to the forward movement of the same and conveying the grain as fast as it is eut to the opposite side of the machine. The opposite ends of the platform are curved upwardly, as shown, so that the whole surface of the platform will be swept by the rakes and the grain cannot fall off the platform. The upward curve at the inner end extends up over the bull-wheel and abruptly stops and descends to the receptacle .7c or a binder, which is not shown, and the teeth of the rakes sweep along the upward curve and engage the same until the abrupt downward angle is reached, so that the grain is carried up over the bull-wheel and allowed to slide down the other side. The rakes are located a suitable distance apart, which is such that the bunches of grain will be of the size most desirable and easy to manipulate. Each rake-arm is secured to the chains (see Fig. 2) and extends' from the same, and the arms are kept in the proper position by braces Z, each brace heilig rigidly secured to an arm between its ends or to the blade carrying the rake-teeth, and extends rearwardly with respect to the motion of the chain and inwardly from the same, and at its free end provided, preferably, with a roller m, running upon an endless track or guide o,

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longitudinally extending between the driving-chains and suitably secured in position, as byarms p', extending from the arms 71, of the supporting-brackets. It will thus be seen that the positions of the braces Z regulate the positions of the rake-arms, and that the distances of the diiferent portions of the track from the plane of the axis of the driving sprocket-wheels regulates the positions of the braces.

The track is so located that the rakes on their return trip above the chains are allowed to drop almost to the horizontal position, but as they pass around to engage the outer end of the platform and sweep across the same the track is in such relative position that the braces hold the rakes in a perpendicular position.

NVhen a rake reaches the summit of the discharge end of the platform, the track begins to recede and will cause the rake-teeth to stop for an instant, and as the chains continue their movement the outer end of the rake-arm will drop, the inner end turning, of course, in its socket on the chain, thereby allowing the teeth to draw out of the grain and drop the same upon the outward slope.

Any one or two of the sprocket-wheels can be connected with the driving mechanism of the machine in any simple manner to drive the traveling chains and their rakes, as by a sprocket-wheel r, secured to one of the drivin g-wheels j.

It is evident that the number of sprocket or driving chains is in nowise oonned to two, as one or more can be employed as experience dictates.

l. A harvester-platform having an up and extending between said wheels and provided with rakes extending radially therefrom and sweeping the surface of the platform and up over the bull-wheel, substantially as described.

2. A harvester-platform curving up at its inner end over the bull-wheel and down on the other side, in combination with the pair of horizontal drive-chains located above and parallel with the horizontal portion of the platform, the rakes extending radially from and loosely secured to said chains and each provided with a rearwardly and inwardly extending regulating-brace rigidly secured to said rake and provided with a roller at its free end, and the endless rake-regulating track between and following said chains and upon which said rollers run, having its lower portion straight and horizontal, its inner end receding abruptly to draw the rakes from the grain above the bull-wheel, and lowered at its upper portion, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the platform, a pair of brackets carried by the same and having arms extending over the rear thereof near its ends, sprocket-wheels on said arms, a pair of endless horizontal drive-chains on saidwheels, an endless continuoustrackbetween and corresponding to .the lengths of the chains and secured to and curving around said arms, and having its inner end receding abruptly to draw the rakes from the grain above the bullwheel, and a series of traveling rakes carried by the chains, each consisting of arakearm carrying the rake-head at its outer end and extending radially from the chains and loosely secured to the same at itspinner end to swing in the direction of motion and a regulating-brace at one end rigidly secured to its rake and extending inwardly and rearwardly toward the track and provided with a roller on its free end bearing on the track, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses. v

RUFUS H. SHELDON, JR.

Vitnesses:

J osEPH WRIGHT, R. H. SHELDON, Sr. 

